This study aimed to provide systematic empirical evidence for how postsecondary institutions support and promote the use of assessment information in academic decision making. A survey instrument, Institutional Support for Student Assessment, was developed as an inventory of external influences on student assessment; institutional approaches to student assessment; patterns of organizational and administrative support for student assessment; assessment management policies and practices; and the uses and impacts of assessment information. Linear regression analysis of completed surveys from 1,393 postsecondary institutions was used to identify which institutional variables related to the use of student assessment data for academic decision making. Significant predictor variables were the number of institutional studies relating students' performance to their interactions with the institution; use of student assessment data to improve internal institutional performance; involvement of student affairs personnel in student assessment; the extent of student assessment; and the extent of professional development related to student assessment offered to faculty and staff. These findings varied by institutional type. The study concluded, however, that many institutions are not using student assessment data when making academic decisions and that many are unaware of how influential this data can be. (Contains 55 references.) (Author/DB)